Other Interactive Whiteboards Overview
Interactive whiteboards are a combination of the traditional chalkboard and traditional projector or overhead. The screen is touch-sensitive and hooks up to your computer and digital projector, thus displaying your computer image. Because it is touch-sensitive, you can control the computer applications from touching the whiteboard screen, instead of relying on the mouse and keyboard. Many different versions of whiteboards now exist, including:
SMARTboard by SMART technologies
Mimio by Virtual Ink
TeamBoard by Easiteach
Features:
Interactive screen that is touch-sensitive
Pen Tray - electronic markers that allow you to "write" on the board
Durable surface - tear proof surface that is compatible with dry-erase markers and can be cleaned with whiteboard cleaner
Easily connects to your computer for Internet or software use
Strengths:
Enhances student engagement and participation
Able to reach a wide range of learning styles -- audio, visual, hands-on, etc...
Weaknesses:
If your school district uses mobile interactive whiteboards, it can take a few minutes for set up
Mobile interactive whiteboards require you to calibrate the screen in order for it to be touch-sensitive; sometimes, there are errors when calibrating, and it can take a few minutes to get this feature working
Before using...
While interactive whiteboards are fairly easy to use, a familiarity with technology helps. Try to participate in professional development where training, lesson ideas, and strategies for using the whiteboard are shared.
Make sure you know how to connect your computer to the whiteboard -- this will help you start class in a timely manner
Best Practices:
Best Practice #1 - Since it is an interactive whiteboard, it is great for group editing, revising, or grammar lessons. By displaying a word document, you can highlight, delete, underline, or use any other Microsoft Word feature to change the text. In this way, you won't have to write out the entire text and you can make changes directly to the document.
Best Practice #2 - Using an interactive whiteboard for review games is a great way to engage students, let them have fun, AND review important terms, concepts, or ideas before that big test. You can download several free templates for review games at http://facstaff.uww.edu/jonesd/games/index.html. All you have to do is create the game based on your material and hook up your computer to the interactive whiteboard. Students can interact with the game and the lesson by coming up to the screen to "touch" their answers.
Best Practice #3 - Interactive whiteboards are a great tool to use when explaining directions for an assignment. By displaying the handout or assignment on the whiteboard, you can physically point to certain parts of the assignment that are important for students to understand. Students are able to see exactly what part of the assignment you are referring to and it can help to minimize the number of questions students ask after you have explained an assignment.
Overview
Interactive whiteboards are a combination of the traditional chalkboard and traditional projector or overhead. The screen is touch-sensitive and hooks up to your computer and digital projector, thus displaying your computer image. Because it is touch-sensitive, you can control the computer applications from touching the whiteboard screen, instead of relying on the mouse and keyboard. Many different versions of whiteboards now exist, including:
Features:
Strengths:
Weaknesses:
Before using...
Best Practices:
Best Practice #1 - Since it is an interactive whiteboard, it is great for group editing, revising, or grammar lessons. By displaying a word document, you can highlight, delete, underline, or use any other Microsoft Word feature to change the text. In this way, you won't have to write out the entire text and you can make changes directly to the document.
Best Practice #2 - Using an interactive whiteboard for review games is a great way to engage students, let them have fun, AND review important terms, concepts, or ideas before that big test. You can download several free templates for review games at http://facstaff.uww.edu/jonesd/games/index.html. All you have to do is create the game based on your material and hook up your computer to the interactive whiteboard. Students can interact with the game and the lesson by coming up to the screen to "touch" their answers.Best Practice #3 - Interactive whiteboards are a great tool to use when explaining directions for an assignment. By displaying the handout or assignment on the whiteboard, you can physically point to certain parts of the assignment that are important for students to understand. Students are able to see exactly what part of the assignment you are referring to and it can help to minimize the number of questions students ask after you have explained an assignment.
Bibliography
http://www2.smarttech.com/st/en-US/Products/SMART+Boards/
http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/tech/tech206.shtml
http://www.ivci.com/videoconferencing_smart_board_interactive_whiteboard.html